Wednesday, February 15, 2012

This classic peanut butter cookie recipe has me thinking about something I saw on the history channel a few months ago, about how the bald eagle became our national bird, instead of the wild turkey.

While the regal eagle was the popular choice, many, including Benjamin Franklin, argued that the lesser attractive turkey was more deserving. Not only was it truly indigenous, but they also argued it was more courageous, and unlike the eagle, was not a lowly scavenger. Of course, we all know how that one turned out.

Now, I don’t think America has an official national cookie designation, but if it did, I bet you a Benjamin (see what I did there?) that the ever-popular chocolate chip would beat out peanut butter cookies for the honor. It would be eagle vs. turkey all over again.

Sure the chocolate chip is always popular, and more visually enticing, but when you compare the relative historical significance to American culture, the peanut far eclipses the chocolate chip. I mean, come on, is there even a “Mr. Chocolate Chip?” I don’t think so.

By the way, let me go ahead and answer the obvious question that’s probably on many of your minds right now… no, I don’t have anything more important to worry about. I hope you give this peanut butter cookie, America’s cookie, a try soon. Enjoy!

I think I might be the opposite of everyone I know because I didn't really like peanut butter...in anything, ever...until AFTER my childhood was over by a few years.. And so, as a somewhat new peanut butter convert, thanks for the recipe. I'm so excited to make them!

Hi Chef John, these cookies are definitely something im going to try out. But I dont own an electric mixer, do you think it'll be okay if I just attempt to mix everything together by hand?thank you for the amazing recipes!

Chef can i use crunchy/ chunky peanut butter instead of smooth? and ya the peanut butter is salty. I am from India so peanut butter is something we hardly ever eat. But I really wanna try these cookies.

they look so good, I never had peanut butter cookies, maybe because peanut butter is more an American thing, I make danish butter cookies (to is appropriated since I live in Denmark), I cannot wait to test some of your recipes, I just found out the page, :D, what do you recommend to start with? ;P

I love this recipe. I live in Mexico now and have been having the most difficult time trying to get a good peanut butter cookie. This recipe worked perfect, especially with the gas oven and the high altitude. Also to 1 bigger, all you do is put chocolate chips in and they are fabulous. They're my favorite cookies. Thanks Chef John. I love the videos, keep em coming. :)

Thank you, Chef John! I've been wanting to make your chocolate lava cakes, but my mom doesn't like chocolate that much so I've been trying to think of something I could make for her instead. And you just reminded me that she loves peanut butter cookies!

As it so happens, I've got some banana bread cooling right now. It's your first recipe I've tried, so I hope it's good! ;-)

I enjoy your cookie recipes and have tried several. However, I usually use only half the amount of sugar. It would seem that you Americans like much sweeter cookies than us Europeans.Greetings from Croatia!

Are you asking if I told people to chill the dough for hours in the video even though it doesn't have any effect, and they really don't need to do it, and could bake them right away? Because that seems to be what you're asking. ;)

Another vote for adding chocolate chips - the best of both worlds!!! Although not seasonably traditional, made some last Christmas, the favorite of everyone. The chips make "the ol' stammpa, stammpa" a little difficult though ;)

Wow Chef John I really liked these. You should do more cookie recipes. Might I suggest a variation on this one on Allrecipes? I found them exquisite. http://allrecipes.com/recipe/big-soft-ginger-cookies/

I just made these. I don't even like peanut butter but I LOVE your cookies! I'm going to stash the second batch of the batter in my freezer, because I know if I bake them all today, I will eat them ALL today :)

I love your blogs and video's. I can't decide what's more fun: cooking and eating your recipes or watching you explain it in the videos! I bought a set of scoops to measure cups (I was going to write cup-size measurement tools but it sounds just so wrong), only to be able to make your deserts. We use kitchen scales where I live ;)

Wow, they are all like, perfect! Can't wait to make these as I am in the market for a new peanut butter cookie recipe: http://www.cookeatdelicious.com/sweets-recipes/cookies-recipes/classic-peanut-butter-cookies-recipe.html

I've tried MANY peanut butter cookie recipes looking for that 'taste' from when I was growing up ('50s-'60s) and this is the first one without vanilla. Although I haven't tried the recipe yet, I'm wondering about vanilla.

I just made the dough and put the dough to chill, 3 hours seems like an eternity. The raw dough by itself was amazing. I am not a fan of peanut butter but those look delicious. I am making those cookies as a thank you present to a bunch of nurses. :-)

Thx Chef. These were very good and they were very easy. I just baked some for my dog groomer. Although I did add a capful of vanilla and a handful of craisins. Also no time for refrigeration and they were a hit. :) I'm definately adding this recipe to my collection.

See this is crap because when I come to a recipe like this one, I want to cook it right now because I'm really hungry and it's past midnight! So I watch this video and I'm getting really excited when he's all like "Yeah man it's totally basic. You can do it dude!" and then he's like "now get your electric mixer and all these ingredients you don't currently have! Woo! See so easy!"

Thank you for the vid. I followed your directions but when trying to press the dough balls down with a fork, they completely cracked and crumbled d:( In the end I had to use my fingers to carefully flatten them a little.

But I wanna stampa stampa! Do you think you could help me figure out what went wrong please?

p.s. my kids (and I) get a kick out of watching your vids. you're hands down one of the most hilarious and inspirational chefs online and offline ever!

I realise it may have had something to do with my reducing the sugar by about a quarter each *oops* But I tried again (making sure to measure the flour properly) and now it's too sticky so the dough just gets trapped between the tines of the fork d:(

Yes it was. I chucked it in the fridge for 3 hrs. It did warm up very quickly (hot Singapore weather) so I tried to get everything done as quickly as I could, chucking the bowl back in again between batches.

Thanks chef 4 sharing this awesome recipe i watched your video on you tube and loved it having problems with ingredients so following description of the video yeah i got it wanna say most simple and fun cooking method love that chef! Stay blessed:-)

Hello chef, thanks 4 sharing this wonderful recipe of cookie just watching by your video on youtube and found it awesome having some problems with the ingredients but not any more just following your given video description and got it and i love your way of cooking which I found super fast n easy moreover simple enjoying able way of cooking I wanna say great n perfect chef stay blessed:-)